It's strange, having a timer on your life. Each day that goes by brings Rotor and me closer to the arena. Was it like this for the others? Probably not. We've been given a month to accept our deaths while they were only given a week. People around me know I'll soon be dead versus the shock they receive when the names are pulled. I'm not being ripped away from them, rather I'm slowly fading away as if I no longer exist.
Mother's words in her journal sink into me. I started reading her journals again to help me understand her again and because this is my only clue as to what must be going through Alara and Drite's, all the victors' minds right now. Every day I make sure to visit, to let them know I haven't forgotten them. The pair of them trains by running and putting on weight, but they've already admitted that they won't be the tribute to come back.
The day of the Reaping comes and the victors stand waiting their fate. District Five's escort for the last seventeen years stands up and draws names from the pathetically empty bowls.
"Alara Cloud and Drite Braddock."
In the Justice Building we are granted one last goodbye. I've drop several hints that there is an escape plan brewing, but he shakes his head.
"It's got to look real kid," says Drite. "They'll take it out on the only people that matter to us if we don't play nicely. But the instant Thora and Kolb are home, feel free to avenge me."
Alara is red faced from crying after saying goodbye to Valance. She's not planning to come back either.
"I guess you two didn't have to volunteer after all," I say.
Alara snorts and wipes away her tears. "Actually there was. Before the drawing, Drite threatened to make a scene unless Placidus said our names and I backed him up. Drite was afraid he'd back out since his brother begged him not to volunteer. Placidus drew Thora and Kolb to go in. But that information stops with your family."
The Peacekeeper comes in to tell us our time is up.
She gives me a large hug, "Don't forget me."
"Promise."
That night we gather for the recap of the Reapings. Districts One, Two, and Four have the largest pools, but once the names Cashmere and Gloss are picked I know right away the Reaping in each district will be rigged. How else would a brother and sister pair be sent in?
Brutus volunteers in place of Casca but no one replaces Enobaria in District Two. Wiress and Beetee are the only options for District Three. In District Four they draw from the male's bowl first.
"Finnick Odair."
My mouth drops. What can the Capitol possibly be thinking sending him in? Are they asking for a riot among their own people? Currently he is the most popular out of all the victors at the Capitol.
Annie Cresta, the victor from Finch's games is called but is replaced by Mags. Next is District Five with Alara and Drite followed by Porter and Veronica from District Six. In District Seven are Blithe and the only female, Johanna Madson. Eight breaks everyone's heart. Woof, the only living male, is called but the only two options for the females are mothers. So when Cecelia is called her three kids run up to hug her.
From District Nine, Holly and Garth take the stage slowly as does Jannie Wright and her partner, Wayne Stud from District Ten. In District Eleven Seeder is called and then Chaff. Finally they come to District Twelve where a distraught escort fishes for the single slip in the girl's bowl. Everyone knows Katniss will be going in, the question is who will the Capitol choose to be her partner?
"Haymitch Abernathy."
Again I am stunned. It would've been simpler just to call Peeta's name and there would be no need for him to look even more amazing to the crowd. Not even a heartbeat passes before Peeta volunteers.
As I walk back to my house, I see Father sitting at my mother's grave. When I take a step to join him, Grandmother pulls me back. This is one of those moments where he needs to be left alone.
When we reach the house, Gwen goes immediately up to the tree house and I soon join her. She says nothing, but curls up against me and I hold my little girl close. Things are going to get much worse before they'll get better.
The chariots come out one by one as the district gathers in the square to watch. The hands of all the adults cover the eyes of our girls when District Four's chariot comes into view. Well, at least they let Odair wear something, but not much.
Drite is clearly drunk and Alara is blissfully oblivious to everything around her, or is she faking it? A twinkle in her eye suggests the latter. As the older tributes come out, we see just how pitiful they look. I grew up with these people around, but not until now do I really see what had become of them. Holly, who I remember asking us if we would put flowers on mother's grave for her, is almost a wisp and Garth her shadow. Many of them are so wasted from their addictions, age, and illnesses they are truly pitiful looking. This is what all of our tributes become.
We are all truly stunned when Katniss and Peeta roll out. Their faces, almost completely unrecognizable, are wiped blank of any emotion. In truth they are frightening to look at as a smoldering ember from a volcano or something. All of the sudden I have a great appreciation for their stylists.
After President Snow makes his usual speech, the Capitol seal comes up and the program ends or so we think. The image then cuts to the face of a young boy, the victor of the first games. One by one the victors of each game appear on screen, at the age they were when they went into the arena, with their name and the year they won underneath.
"That was Grandma?" says Chance.
"Pretty cute huh?" says Father.
Raiden, Vixen's boyfriend, answers with a low whistle. "No lie."
I don't blame my niece for ignoring him after that.
The image of my young mother is gone too quickly, but it stays long enough for me to see the glint in her smile suggesting she knows something you don't. Just like Finch had. This image challenges everything I remember about my mother. The woman I remember drew little attention to herself and was quiet and reserved. But that girl, that girl was anything but quiet. You can see it in her eyes. She was prepared to be defiant until the end.
At the end they show Peeta and Katniss as the victors of the 74th Hunger Games. The picture of Cashmere when she won comes back on screen and slowly transforms to her current age and the same thing is done to her brother. Their images shrink to the top of the screen in the District One square. They do this for every tribute for this year, first their picture when they won that quickly transforms to their current age. The Capitol stole too much from them.
The images of Katniss and Peeta show them together in each other's arms seeking and giving comfort. This is the final picture that moves to the bottom until we get a clear shot of every victor bound for the arena.
"Who will be the champion of champions?"